I know that I could have just taught this lesson without going on an actual expedition, however, when you see in the video how excited they are, and overjoyed with finding ladybugs, I knew I had made the right decision. When they stopped to complete the I found a ladybug page and compared the ladybug they found to the choices in the field guide, you could hear a pin drop! They were asking each other's opinion, and sharing facts. I believe that starting the unit with this lesson helped my students get excited about the topic, and helped them gain a deeper understanding of ladybugs.

Connecting with nature helped my students get a deeper understanding of ladybugs.

Developing a Conceptual Understanding: Connecting with nature helped my students get a deeper understanding of ladybugs.

Going On A Ladybug Expedition

Going On A Ladybug Expedition

Unit 14: Ladybugs
Lesson 1 of 5

Objective: Identify ,photograph and illustrate types of ladybugs based on their markings by using a field guide.

This was the first lesson on ladybugs. Though most of my students had seen them or touched them, they really did not know why ladybugs were important to the environment. I posed one simple question, " Why are ladybugs important?" and that started us on our ladybug expedition.

I created a PowerPoint, Ladybugs, in order to build excitement and engage all of my students through the videos, and images that are included in the PowerPoint to enhance the lesson. I find that using a PowerPoint keeps the students focused and helps guide the lesson in a way that keeps them engages and interacting with the content.

Resources (1)

Resources

We looked at, and discussed, the different types of ladybugs. The students also shared personal experiences with ladybugs. I then explained that we were going to participate in The Lost Ladybug Project from Cornell University. We would go in search of ladybugs in the school yard. I downloaded the Lost ladybug file as a guide for the students to use which would enable them to identify any ladybug they came across. I created found a ladybug, in order for them to document any ladybug they found. First we looked for ladybugs in front of school and were lucky enough to find a few, here's some of the students finding ladybugs on our expedition. Students then updated their found a ladybug page and checked the field guide for a match.

We were lucky enough to have found some ladybugs, here is an example of one of the completed I found a ladybug document. I also printed out certificates , which are available on LostLadybug.org. The students connected with the content in a way that left a lasting impression for us all, they felt like their learning had purpose.

Similar Lessons

Big Idea:
After working for weeks on their informational writing projects, students participate in a gallery share reading each other's work, leaving positive comments, and learning something new in the process!

Big Idea:
Students will need some background knowledge of biomes before we can begin to discuss organisms that survive well, or not well, in those environments. This lesson will build motivation and provide an opportunity to build background schema.